PS 3515 

J.P88 na 

1893 
Copy 1 




I I ItJ IVl'L'lww 



'w 



3Y 



A. Clifford Hawes, 



LIBRARY OFCONGRESS^I 

i^p'?^^''_ icMriB^ f 

Shelf ./)ig/I^ 

m:^ 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



f 



t 7 



m 





me 




''oecie. 



n Ei^i^t Canb^. 









New Bedfokd, Mass., 
1893. 



.AssMs 



Copyright 1893 
BY A. CLIFFORD HAWES. 



Printed by Paul Rowland Jr., 
new bedford, mass. 



o 



nhntc. 



PAGE 

CANTO 1 5 

CANTO II i6 

CANTO III 2^ 

CANTO IV 38 

CANTO V 49 

CANTO VI 60 

CANTO VII 71 

CANTO VIII ^2 



SlZ^ |^^5^ ^^yoetic. 



CANTO I. 



^-^merica should be proud of her young men 
And I have no doubt but she is; hung then 
Should be all the boodlers, harmful intriguers, 
And toasted be all the bicycle leacruers. 



Boosted should be all the good ones to better 
Positions, and I'm pleased to give a letter 
Of introduction to any such, to be handed 
To a great-gun friend before they get stranded. 



For a fine sight go to Lucerne and see 
Thorwaldsen's Lion, compared with a sand flea 
It is a grand monument, a noble chiseling; — 
Be sure and see it when 'tis not drizzlina:. 



5 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Seems so it rains here quite all the time hence my 
Warning. The moistures during summer dense lie 
Twixt Mounts Pilatus and Righi yet, royalty 
Goes here, here Americans show their loyalty. 



Ah ! life is not that we had wished for it, 
It changeth each day as we age, nor fit 
Does it with the yesterdays of men still, — 
Don't mistake — I don't say 'tis worse a ten-mill. 



As dreary as the Swedish Kalmar Castle, 
Lighter than anrae or a tinsel tassel, 
More solemn than either great Bull Run battle 
Is the fact that we are past the child's prattle. 



You watch in the innocent child's play how, 
Just Hke an old hen at roost in a hay-mow. 
And flickering heat-waves 'tis quite void from care 
Like, again, the white bear and cubs in some lair. 

VIII. 

Our great men belong to no particular 
Age or generation. — this is articular, 
Understand, from all my previous conceptions 
And I'll have it printed upon captions. 



CANTO I. 

IX. 

Mens agitat molem, this has been long settled 
And is as old, perhaps, as pewter-metaled 
Skillets, spoons, bowls and plates or, a platter 
And as forceful as our best base-ball batter. 



It smacks more of talent and of learning 
When one beyond worldly things is discerning ; 
Go write up or else study anemology 
Or, to mankind, make some sort of apology. 



Go trap a lobster right here in our bay. 
Whether the day be pleasant or quite lowery. 
Then dissect the same by each part and particle, 
And create then, a terse paper or article. 



Cease all your persiflage, go chat with a dervis 
And learn oriental customs and the service ; 
Now weld to paper your thoughts m a treatise. 
When you will find, what to the world, a treat is.. 



But the trend of men's minds ever varies, 
Like the colors do of many canaries 
And, too, the douc and the little humming-bird 
This I have studied e'en more than I've heard. 



7 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Some have high motive while others are only 
Ancillary, but I have seen people lonely 
Because so high up in position and rank, 
Yet they weren't czars, nor men who to excess drank. 



They were so high up that no one was quite good 
Enough for them — sad, very. What kind of blood. 
Presume you, courses thro' such veins .' Not th' best 
By long or all odds, nor bluest here doth rest. 



We are apt to think more and better of others 
Great virtues than our own, but what bothers 
It.-" It is right to think so, it spurs us 
On and so the world gains more from us thus. 



Or, again, it is quite often true that a great 
Man is far more honored and adored in state, 
In a country other than his own yet, while 
It seems strange to us. we must not stop to smile. 



It is likewise a known fact that whom we 
Admire we must not think to assume he 
Is the lesser thankful for it. — still further 
That he'll be sorrowful like was old Werther. 



CANTO I. 



A man must certainly have other and higher 
Attainments than ourselves, and with the true fire 
Of genius possessing, to move us. He that 
Shall have swaved us must have with the gods sat. 



Byron says that "some good lessons are also 
Learnt from Ceres and from Bacchus. " ' Tis all so, 
Perhaps, but Bacchus too oft got drunk to 
Suit me — I'd rather asjree with a monk true. 



Go read Herbert Spencer on Justice and 
See whst he says on a womans ( no bland 
Thoughts from his pen) "political rights." I agree 
With him perfectly in this far as I see. 



I've formed a plan not to agiee with any 
One in quite everything and care not a penney 
What they say of it. A man who says ' yes ' 
To everything puts us in much distress. 



He convinces us that he knows but little 
Anyway, and he had better go and whittle 
Out the Goddess of Liberty and send 
It to a World's Fair, then he'll be on the mend. 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Or, at least, people will suppose th:at he 

Knows somethi7ig. I've been thinking of the fat fee 

Some lawyers get — it must be a nice thing 

To know law and thus a good surplus bring. 



I don't often philosophize like this 

But it seems nice to tliink one can when his 

Mind wills; ah! learning, that"s the stutfl it moves 

The whole world from out its old, wornout 2:rooves, 



I've just been looking inside the Browning 
Home in Venice; strange place that with frowning. 
Plain walls and strict simplicity. His ways 
Were different from mine and, too, his lavs. 



I should have said I saw his home by picture. 
But never mind, its just as well I'm sure; 
Mistakes will creep in and of course I'm human 
Though quite different from an old woman. 

XXVIII. 

Then, too, only this afternoon I have seen 
(In picture) some old china plates and been 
Studying about them. Some of them are sold 
For high prices and go to some stronghold. 



CANTO I. 



Some old china is lovely, videlicet: 
Faience Delft jars, or e'en my jelly set — 
But I don't care always to b^ pouring over 
China any more than to be picking clover. 



Let's have learning e'en if we can't have else 
Thence, forthwith, we sh dl shine like little smelts. 
Now that Boulanger is dead, certain factions 
Will, I have no doubt, criticise his actions. 



But his army reforms were notably good 
And of vast variety it is understood. 
He was brave in war, a leader of his men. 
Also had a lance thrust in his side when,— 



When he was in an engagement with the 
Annamites His rashness ( this is no myth a 
Thousand years old ) was remarked on all sides 
And he was prompt and active as the Fall tides. 



This poke in the left side, which I speak of, 
Was under the heart ( all the}' that seek love 
Know what the heart is ) and, I think, much like 
The Saviour's when they to a cross Him did spike. 



THE :MUSE POEIIC. 



Boulanger survived this and went to France 
To recouperate. I should Hke to have tlie lance 
I'd send it to Washington and place it 
In a museum so you could not efface it 



From memory ; perhaps I'd stand it up beside 
Abe Lincoln's cane, or put it right inside 
The case with the Grant mementos and some 
Other famous things, that are rich and handsome. 



Then it would "echo through the halls of time," 
As Longfellow, who was born in our clime. 
Has so aptly said. Longfellow ! — he was a good 
Man, I reverence him and all my country should. 



I'm going to have this one long poem, perhaps 
The longest I shall ever write, old Sir Papps 
Will be only second to it ( this is fiction 
For there is no such man in this jurisdiction ) , 



But we'll suppose there was, like old Long John 
Of the western pork-packing center, upon 
Which we so much depend — all except the Jews 
For this is a race that always pork refuse. 



CANTO I. 



Take for instance, a beautiful child's idea 

That the stars are windows through which my dear 

Sees the inmost heavens ; is not it pretty? 

And shes the daintiest child in the citv. 



I do not say that the thought is correct, 
From no book nor authority can you detect 
The fact, and about the same I shall never hurtle 
Simply because I have brains that are fertile. 

XLI. 

I cannot say if the next century w-ill 
Beat this ; when certain chemicals sent fury, ill 
As it may seem, into the heavens and produced 
Rain, my hopes of nineteen hundred reduced. 



Go take a donkey ride thoughout old Cairo, 
See the lazy Cairoeans smoking hasheesh — go ! 
See the lovely Saracenic architecture, 
Softly rich; it is a beautiful picture. 



Smell the fragrant air, scented with hibiscus, 
Poinsettas and bougainvillea and discuss 
A dainty coffee in one Mooski street bazar. - 
And this is orientalism not afar. 

13 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Enter Gizeh Museum and see the oldest 

Of the whole world's statues, and the boldest ; 

Boldest because they are the most immortal. 

From old tombs and such thev have been brous^ht all. 



This is the land of the Nubian sais who's 
Ever with the hareem carriage, like a muse 
And poet. Here the eunuch, surely no higher race, 
Flourisheth, black as the coal in your fire-place. 



And thus I have done with the old city Cairo, 
Now go to your club and play at faro. 
Let there be peace throughout the land and a 
Plenty of high polish like that on a landau. 



Like the ' ifs ' that hinder us, or like ships that 
Kick the waves, like the marketman who dipts fat, 
When trying out lard and slips occasionally, 
Are most men, — that is to speak or rationally. 



It does obtain to higher ends without let 
Or hindrance to well mark your pith outlet 
Or, saying otherwise, tendency for good, 
Together with your claims for living, — for food. 

14 



CANTO I. 



What would you that I deliniate furtlier. 

About the Arctic explorers and the fur the 

Fellows bring down to us for our own uses. 

Or of grapes, gourds, guavas and their lone juices? 



I will make eyes of my fingers and grope 
Through some old coal mines with the cherished hope 
Of finding — but did I say coaH just have 
It read diamond, 'tis grander like a conclave. 



517^ ^U^e ^oeti. 



CANTO II. 



@et thee away, thou fickle hours of idleness, 
None shouldst thee covet, thou art not bliss ! 

He who wouldst woo thee loses all his happiness 
And steeps his soul with folly when he hath this^ 



Whose thoughts run back to former days dwells not 
With me today for I go on, not stopping 

On my quick'ning pace, like the oak trees' rot, 
For either noble prince or lordly king. 



Let us descant aloud to the sick souls who 

Hate the very sound of our voices and, thereby. 

Turn their wrath into a cult and thus imbue 
Them with an ongoing rectitude sturdy. 

i6 



CANTO II. 



I like the teacher who follows his teachings, 
To such an one I am no detester ; 

The preacher, too, who follows his preachings 
And the man who does not easily fester. 



There is a health of the soul and a health 
Of the body and I sometimes think he hath 

The one who least thinks so, as if by stealth 
He hath been given, so that he lose not faith. 



I must make appeal to mem'ries' store-house 
So that bathos will not creep in the poem 

And make me feel that Tve gone back to trouse 
Before I've e'en finished the shorter proem. 

VII. 

It is neither my aim nor ambition 

Nor intention to dwell too much at length 

On the proem lest the lines afterward spun 
Excel not in their high and Attic strenafth. 



The night is ,come ! The sable, starless and 
Moonless night ! My pretty-eyed love and my 

Rose-kiss'd cheeked love with her round, dimpled hand 
Doth bide where the exotic furze doth lie. 



17 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



When some great truth our maiden vows dislodge 
And thus our souls to higher walks restores 

We shouldst not cavil, but, with amity, torge 
On accepting the wise measure and lores. 



Mav the fires erotic promote unselfish 
Ways, laying quite low vain contumely. 

Keeping us from coldness of the shell-fish ; 
Thus we are to abduce toward diuturnity. 



If we as poets would like to sell our work 

Some great work shouldst we pen of pure fiction, 

(Note you what folk "round book-stores lurk 
And what they buy) nor care much for diction. 



Beneath the stark embrasure of the much 
Cankered wall of the castle a lover dropt 

His gauntlet, while on a very vain debauch, — 
Chill the night and in the glove maybugs hopped. 



They (the maybugs) tho"t their new home very strange 

So manv little rooms issuing into 
One grand dance (.'') hall and, round in a short range, 

They gathered bugs and fire-flies not a few. 



CANTO II. 



The fire-flies were to furnish wonted light 
And betoken figures for the dancers, 

But some over-frolicsome bugs got tight 

And did not dance through the college lancers. 

XV. 

They found quite near the gauntlet a small flask, 
(Not the kind that gunners use in quailing), 

Yet the contents dwindled with a like small task 
And one drew a bilbo and was railing. 



One, a petit-maitre, ( for he was one 

Of these,) began to blab and to bicker ; 

Turning the tables for a little fun 

He showed some trinkets and c-an to dicker. 



Thej' danced until the " wee sma' hours " as Burns 

Has it, in fact until the sun began 
To rise. Now the knight for the glove retiirns 

And each frisky, blithe bug away has ran. 



But, I have dropt into a lower strain 
Of poetic thinking for we shudcltr 

At the thought of bugs as we do, again. 
At ships at sea without sails or rudder. 

19 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Gallants, I fancy, have no predilection 

For such as these and they are unanimous. 

To a man, that they have no jurisdiction 

To hold forth, much "2;ainst the bugs animus. 



He, the noble lo\er I mean of course. 

When he had found the much tinseled gauntlet 

Saw it worn in spots but, yet, not much worse 
Than when 'twas lost : but just a little wet. 



The ignoble marauders manifested 

No outward show of displeasure till he 

Left the scene of revelry. Man is tested 
In like manner, yet with tranquillity. 



If I should introduce some hellenisms 
The effusion would not be popular. 

But yet the production would be like prisms 
On chandeliers to the particular. 



I've sat in Congress and heard debators 
Debating on debates of national 

Importance and they did, to our haters, 
Hurl conceptions of gist most rational. 



CANTO II. 



I've heard speeches, as I said, in Congress 
By such men as Reed, the mental giant, 

I was sorry when I made my egress 
He was so manly and self reliant. 



I may be ever so good a linguist 
But need the soul to voice the same 

And e'en the much needful element, — gist 
And without these the argument were lame. 



O make me a cenobite just for the 

Space of tonight that I might solace my 

Soul in that extreme quiet and succor 

Receive for the sins which dost inward lie. 

XXVII. 

I've just been throwing off a few verses 
To see if my pen was suitably nibbed, — 

You know what th' singer does when rehearses 
He. Note, I've to the pen, these lines ascribed. 



Things we often see we deem are common 
Not thinking that, perhaps, people come miles 

To view them, the protestant and mommon, 
The Jew, the catholic and the gentiles. 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Do not cast les doux yeux at your friends 
For I am going to try and be a Poet. 

And now and then an Attic sentence lends 
Dignity, if it didn't I'd forec:o it. 



'Tis wise not to want what you cannot have, 
The wanting oft will cause inward chafing 

Like the moralist's theorizing, ( to save 

Us), over theses falling from their high fling„ 



Happiness is to be found in action 
So occupy the time with useful cares. 

Do not let yourselves be bound in faction, 
Don't sit les bras croises, — go pull tares. 



Death! What is it? It is a going out, 
An efflux of the spirit from the body, 

A mingling of the spirit with devout 

Oneness with God, the clay with parts soddv- 



All nature is putting on a new growth. 

The sun's beams glow adown with much avid 

Of nurturing force and seemeth quite loth 
In its sapient course the earth to rid. 



CANTO II. 



The dickens lake us if I would demit 

To cog a friend or strut with vain hauteur 

He is a very bogus thing, to wit : — 
He were fittest he that is quite demure. 



Go eat a choke-pear for thy belly ache. 
Or, hang ambition by distresses' door ! 

Now I intend the present age to wake 

And to advance, at once, some modern lore. 



Our poesy must be grammatical, 

Infused with Platonic wisdom or naught 

Wilt seem our verses, much less Attical, 

And we hadst missed what we hadst greatly sought 

.xxxvii. 

Then shalt we have honey from Hymettus, 

Much fine gold from California and 
Spices and colognes odoriferous, 

Pearls from the deep and gifts both rare and grand. 



Life is a problem which we all must solve ; 

Look at old Nature, see how she performs. 
She tempts us and is the last to absolve ; 

Of perils and shocks she thus us informs. 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



5ome trees demand much room, some not so much 
They that are fragrant we grant an extent 

But, yet, all of the trees have Nature's touch ; 
With the shady the sweet-scented are blent. 



I do not intend to make this canto 

Of such great length as to tire the reader 

Or the compositor for I can't ( oh 

That's a slip ) if I wouldst be a leader. 

XLI. 

If I should condescend to write some long, 
Dry essays or theses for moralists' 

To theorize o'er the sale'd not be strong. 
But vet I'd have of books some moral lists. 



What ever I do I, vvith the sophists, 

Cannot agree and they must be dealt with 

Something more stringent than merely soft fists ; 
The same doth occupy my neareth kith. 



Methinks he were a dullard quotha, he 

That banters in badinage and straight thinks 

It were e'en the exordium, if he 

Will, to good breeding ; it hast leady clinks. 

24 



CANTO II. 



It may seem strange to the superficial 
And I do not care an English farthing 

Or Persian daric, in man, the facial 
Bent on character is not a far thing. 



Not that tiie world be round but that the world 
Is is what I am going to at length 

Discuss, certes, not so much the sphere hurled 
Spherically, as the great peoples' strength. 



The country, Europe, strong in it's armies. 
Old Rome with her papal celibacy ; 

While we look to Rome our eyne awry is 
Toward Asia with Mount Everest racy. 



Germany, France, Italy in paintings, 

Itily especially in sculpture 
And its grandiose tinted skies which clings 

To the viewer and dost his soul immure. 



England hast done much in literati. 

The United States likewise and in great 

Inventors which I will have to rate i' 
The ascendant of — but I always hate 

25 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



To make boast of my own country for I 

Am an American, saturated 
With Americanism, and proud of my 

Native land which I've not over rated. 



England with her Shakspeare, her Lord Byron 
( Of whom Westminister was much too small 

His ashes to contain, — at least held on 

To this thought) and others I'll soon recall. 



(fi 



§\]Q [^u^^ .^b^ti^. 



CANTO III. 



Ijfn ihis canto I mean to show up men in 

Their true hght and I don't care a ten-pin 
If the}' want to reply to it wliy they can. 
We are admired more thus than if we ran. 



And I would have the public think well of me, 
Even if the same could not always love me. 
I shall probably treat lightly on politics, 
If I can my mind on Apollo fix. 



Perchance an apothegm I may weave in 
If I can get a nice woof to heave in 
But, I sha'n't go so far as a harnspice 
IS'or, e'en yet so far as to harass this. 

27 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Naught shall tempt my pen save what I will it, 
(I should like, under Sam, a good billet). 
Naught shall hamper my footsteps for I wont 
Have it, not a hamper of wine if I say don't. 



Let's have republicans and democrats and no 
Third party. 1 his splitting up is no grand show, — 
I don't approve of it, it only makes one more 
String to the bow. The third geis swallowed like Noah. 



Of this I'll further speak in the next canto 
And I may tell what doth make the ant grow, 
But I'm not so sure of this as to promise 
And I wouldn't be thought fickle like a storm is. 



As innocent as cradled babes are the winds 
That waft my thoughts throughout the world to minds 
Of thinking people.. Let them remain so 
Then I'll have no reason to disdain show. 



The heart is the seat of all love ; it is 
The piece of furniture invaluable to this 
Vast universe ; it is the pivot round which 
Moves the world. It is like a wood-bound ditch. 

28 



CANTO III. 

IX. 



I'll go up above the clouds and look down, 
And study thin air and things we jointly own ;: 
I'll stray from things common to the poetical 
And arrange them in order alphabetical. 



There is one street in Rome, the old Corso, 
That delighteth the mind perhaps, more so, 
Because of its antiquities. In this, 
You've seen, I've spared many an aphaeresis. 

XI. 

For artistic merits we must not o'erlook 
The Piazza Colonna, standing in nook. 
This old shaft is so round as well as straight 
As to be noticable at anv rate. 



I've been thinking of a place where there are 
Paintings, — they are in Palazzo Sciarra, 
And are by Claude, Raffaelle and Titian, 
Men whom, by their great skill, were patriciarn- 

XIII. 

If I had the means I'd go and see them, 
Thus you'd cross the Atlantic and bestem 
Her tides ; and you could go by water all 
The way and not descend a waterfall. 

29 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



There is one thing, I would start in the spring 
Or summer, for style this is just the thing, — 
And over there you want to be thought well of, 
Just as the angels are far up above. 



XV, 



There's another thing about travelling, let 
Me state right here : it is unlike a ringlet 
For it hasf an end and the world will, too, 
But I shouldn't care for that more than mildew. 



Yet another thing is this : that brains win 
The world's laurels, just as a man reins in 
His horse after a race, and it is certain 
Spiritual worth raises heaven's curtain. 



It is a high and noble line of thought 
To be ever the seekers after good, fraught 
Not with trifling disposition toward others, 
For this sometimes tends to detract, and bothers. 



I have not yet wrote up my politico- 
Economic conceptions ; O ! let it go 
Some, perhaps, might say but 'tis too important 
For that, and so, also, is a quadrant 

30 



CANTO III. 



In point of fact, be it remembered, that 
Anarchism can not, nay, it shall not fat 
And stay in the land ; we must have order, we 
Must have law, while yet our country is free. 



You must agree with me, or you have no homes ; 
They fall to earth and so our very states' domes. 
It is a viper and must sure be crushed 
Lest our hearths" fires are forever hushed. 



I'll speak in highest terms of aught that's right, 
And crush beneath my feet (and that at sight ) 
All that seems to me wrong ; contrariwise, 
The people would ignore me and de.^pise. 



Who bears the high insignia of office 
Mus-t be modest, nor neglect to dofif his 
Hat, e'en to tiie lowly, honoring the badge I, 
( If lis me ) wear ; no less must the Magi. 



Sand-flies a flying, or sand fleas a fleeing 

I sha'n't discuss ; I'd rather be freeing 

My mind on more weighty aft"airs and things, 

Like angels' wings and serpents' and spiders' ^stings. 

31 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



The mean, the tricky and miserable 
Government of Russia's like a miser able, 
Only, to count his gold. Read Kennon's papers 
And see how this foul government capers. 



I have explicit confidence in Kennon, 
He speaks so honesdy, and when men don 
The fearlessness and strength of purpose, which 
He has, he's cherished in some favored nitch. 



I don't mean that Kennon is great and will 
Be remembered in marble through the still, 
Future ages, but, he has done much to 
Enlighten us on Russia in a touch true. 



The old-time priest. Jerome, the satirical 
Tacitus, (yet this is not a miracle ), 
And old Suetonius, who was cynical. 
Underwent much neath many a pinacle. 



So did Innocentius and old Hylas 
Undergo much and, too, there was Silas. 
Others are recluses, anchorites, cenobites. 
And it has been .said did the Isrealites 



32 



CANTO III 



Likewise did Kennon ; — think of the snow drifis 
And low temperature he found ! A crow shifts 
About oft times because of cold, — not so he 
For on he went like a qood knot dory. 



Kennon has told us much of Siberia, — 
God bless him ! Now let him go to Liberia 
And learn of that country some of its wa^s, 
When he returns we have got some new craze. 



But never mind the craze, we all adrniie 
Pluck, push, perseverance, a man of fire. 
Chine, chin ( the last not in the vulgar though ) 
And rejoice when one doth evil over-throw. 



God speed Kennon on in his good work for 
Humanity, and against who shirk law ; 
Aid him in his efforts to alleviate 
Suffering, crush injustice with a lever weight. 



I never did, nor would, describe anything 
That wasn't proper and never a penny ring 
Or, again : nothing that was slab-sided, 
Knock-kneed, or crab-toed, or crab-hided. 

33 



THE MUSE POETIC. 

XXXIV. 

I might touch on some monohthic slabs, 
But I haven't time, and some mythic blabs 
About the gods of old, or forgotten 
Cities, or the product of the South, cotton. 



And I might one day write some plays as did 
Shakspeare, but I am as one who has rid 
Himself of so much irksomeness, besides 
One must have more time than with me abides. 



But I liad rather have a tilt at arms, 

Or see a pretty mirage down at the farms. 

Or visit a neighboring bailiwick 

And call on some friend, or else mail a brick. 



I did not mean to say thai though ; I'll take 
It back, it was a mistake, so just make 
It read r^avz'i? a brick, ?i gold brick you must 
Understand ; and thence nroceed with true trust. 



The bible does not instruct us how we are 
To spend our time, — the hero, saint and seer, 
And I feel I must be entertaining if I 
Am anything but not to tend to vilify, 

34 



CANTO III. 



God bless IMcKinley and his bill, God bless 
The souls that have relieved us of distress. 
Who have sought to relieve, or who shall seek 
What I am driving at Til just give a peek. 



Read George's 'land scheme' and his 'single tax' 
Ideas, read Lowell and his jingle facts. 
They are for our progress pure and simple ; 
They are helps, not to look at like a dimple. 



We all have our ideas but don't all vent 
Them, — some peoples thoughts are like a ball spent 
Already. We all should frame our thoughts in subtle 
Words and have them polished as a shuttle. 



Of Phaedo, Aristippus and Antistb.enes 
You must agree the one was, if you please. 
The highest and the ne.xt was the latter ; 
Moralitv comes first, then duty, then clatter. 



But I suppose there are those that would place 
Duty above morality yet, in the face 
Of this, morality is llrst ; But there is 
An high duty that is kinship with bliss. 

35 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Mare lerisium is about seventy-eight 
Thousand square miles, and we think in this state 
That that is some space. It is quite a large 
Plain isn't it.' larger than a barije or targe. 



I dote on gcilden and silvern sun-sets. 

And like the e.xercise that a run gets, 

And hate things nonsensical and foolish. 

Not only that when they seem quite ghoulish. 



I like to study the winds' velocity, 
But 'tis my way to hold with animosity 
Aught that's disheveled, lest it be artistic 
Then it must be removed from the fistic. 



I don't believe in doing, or of being 
Good simply for some reward, or feeing 
A waiter for extra attention, although 
I have a retinue wherever I go. 



But, I suppose it is quite different 

With me, unlike the man that doth suffer rent 

To accumulate and servants' hire accrue. 

Or his dollars to dwindle down to a few. 

36 



CANTO III. 



'Tis an accretion that we want and must have, 
Of all the good things obtainable, save 
Good snuff, which I abominably abhor 
As much, perhaps, as a thrust from a saber. 



I'm going to relate some startling things in 
The fifth canto ; — 3"0u know a cartling brings in 
On the summer sea-shore some dainty tots. 
Well, 'twill be akin to that or painty cots. 



S^^ l^u^e .(^betie. 



CANTO IV. 



(^;his reducing of ones thoughts to writing 
Requires time, — //me and very much of it. 

But rd rather write than do reciting 
And it might be said I really love it. 



Lih I ought to have said for we cannot 
Love inanimate objects and scarcely 

Some animate, — yet I mean no complot 
Nor, yet, would I turn from truth aversely. 



If I have not I must make the time to 

Learn metaphysics and ideation ; 
The one, methought, would aid me to rhyme true, 

The other, to divine a new creation. 



CANTO IV. 

IV. 

I don't believe in metempsychosis 

Neither think the soul regresses to chaos, 

But hold to the thought in my way submiss, 
It hies above, without being verbose. 



Japan with its Japanese in carving, 

Profound in their art, ( not the kind which we: 
Yankees do Thanksgiving Day when halving 

Turkeys ), but ivory, — fine, infinately. 



England had her famous family Tudor, 

And Cowper, Johnson, Pope, Southey, Dryden^ 

Gens dc I el ires who never mains pudor 

Betrayed, so why should I them deride then ? 



A virtuous action needs no liquidating, it is of 
Itself liquidated. It ivcre because 

It were natural and high with pure love 
In its naturalness, — needs no applause. 



Queen Margaret when she kissed Poet Chartier. 

Finding him one day sleeping, said to her 
Maid. "I kiss not the man I," said the fair, 

"Kiss the soul that sings, "' we thus her revere^ 

39 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



So it is with us, we think not so much 
Of the outward man as we do the more 

Beautiful, inner self, which is the good crutch 
Which restores the world with the newest lore. 



Now the difterence twixt old Pompeii 
And Pompeii unearthed is much vaster 

In fine artistic grandeur, the way I 
See, than a rusty from a new castor. 



But what will show my simile better, 
With more averment, is a sterile tramp 

Twixt a sterling, thrifty money-getter, 

(I speak thus so as to show up the scamp). 



Or, far better still, at Monte Carlo 

The gilded hell-hole called the Casino 

From, — well I don't know what, — my dog Carlo 
Who follows on whene'er I horseback 2:0. 



I've studied sun-sets and brilliant moon-lights, 
Royal Worcester ware tea-sets and lamp 

Lights (electric) and think natural sights 
Exceed those of an artificial stamp. 

40 



CANTO IV. 



I never compare artists with arlis^ts 
Or poets witli poets save in a way 

Of all fairness to each and it consists 
In posing each on turrets ( by-the-way ). 



Of course some turrets are of greater height 
Than others, but I can't help that, it should 

Be thus, for could you hold that I were right 
In placing Shelley where great Shiller stood ? 



I shall not here attempt to define which 

One I hold in highest estimation ; 
It may come out in time ( here lies the hitch ), 

Naiale solum bears on the relation. 



The soul shines through the mind and radiates 
In all directions and, just so sure is 

The heart mirrored in the vi.sage the fates 

Decree that the waves shall beat on the shores. 



I should be very unwise If I should 
Forget that there is in man an instinct 

For truth yet I hold falsehood is the hood 
Of knaves and the gallows is their precinct. 

41 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Shelley, of Anglo-Saxon abstraction, 

Was a Briton from his crown to his sole ; 

Born of a countrv of which, in action, 
Is conservative, yet it hath a soul. 



Let us not show our backs to men but our 
Fronts, so we maintain our manliness though 

All the world go wrong, thus with our high power 
Shall we have friends, true friends ; this do we know. 



We must learn to be magnanimous then 

Do I forget all animadversion. 
All sorrowing heart qualms we cease I ken 

And, ergo, we issue a new version. 



If I lose a friend because I perform 

Today a wiser and nobler action 
It is well it is so for through the storm 

I have gained real friends that men do not shun. 



'Tis morn ! The sun revives the sluggard from 
His bed of woe and Nebla ( whom my Muse 

Hates) comes from his sulphury depths to strum 
His Phorminx and to chance his woeful ruse. 



42 



CANTO IV 



At first thought I, in no wise, considered 
His talents worth mentioning, yet, there is. 

Or, rather was, ( though 'twas nipped in the bud ) 
A book of his written on old Venice. 



Some underlying growth of mental sway 

And clearness, which dost make bold to assert 

Itself Aonian in its light way 

And tending, showed which we must not pervert. 



Up in old Venice down \n the market 
Place I shall lay a scene little short of 

The romantic, in some points, and stark it 
Will be. not in antithesis, but love. 



The Dramatis Personae are Patrice, 

A "winsome wee thing", rosy and sprightly, 
Graceful and slight and, withal, very nice 

And her Mamma Hester less sightlv. 



The day was very sultry and avid 

When Nebla strummed his aforesaid Phorminx, 
Drawing his afflatus from the sacred 

Song he sang to priest, merchant and sly minx. 

43 



THE MUSE POETIC. 

XXIX. 

The day would surely make a sphinx turn pale 
Of fright at sun stroke but Patrice sidled 

Toward the player. The music, like the wail 
Of a Hindoo, the gathered throng diddled. 



I said Patrice sidled toward the player ; 

Twas much the same as in the jungle when 
The king of beasts is pounced on by the slayer 

Save less cautiously and there was no fen. 



His voice seduced her heart it was so sweet 
And people from the Grand Place of St. Mark, 

Stopping their gondolas, listened at his feet 
To the mellifluous tones till it was dark. 



Now the tones were modulated and now 
They rose up loftily to the blue sky. 

At first it seemed as if he knit his brow 

With enmity then, forthwith, he mounts high. 



He lilted out like merry birds afield 

Nor realized the pangs of heart he caused. 

But when the song had ceased Patrice did yield, 
(Strange thing too) and gave him i charm emboss'd. 

44 



CANTO IV 



Of course he knew her not, but, her carriage, 
Her dark e_ves and her fine chiseled features 

Did much for her finally, in marriage 
Ending like unto good, worthy creatures. 



Now I'm going to be paradoxical 

For I must state the matter just as "twas, — 
As the evening advanced she made a call 

On Nebla, 'tis my tenet, without cause. 



But Nature, at times, mysteriously 
Works, and in this tesselated city 

As well as others, though less seriously 
Than those of far greater capacity. 



The flowers which she brought to him were orchids 
Which was more in keeping than fine trousers, 

Diamond rings, silk handkerchiefs or kids ; 
These are for revellers or carousers. 



He took the matter well at heart, thought and 
Considered the same whether or no some 

Other fair one had not a prior demand 

On him, trusted his conscience then wrote home. 

45 • 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



But one moment, — they sat and munched new figs 
And pistachios, talked o'er things epicene, 

And not the persiflage of fooHsh prigs ; 

Lampooned no one and all went on serene. 



There is a something in man's voice which we 
Respect or disrespect, and in a /crdy's 

Manner which we must admire and which we 
Adore, like to keen-eyed Turkish cadies. 



There is a something in mens' hearts which yearns 
For the ideal whether it be lor books, 

A noble wife, a home ( the false it spurns ) 

Fine old bronze urns, or, ancient shepherds' crooks. 



'Twas thus with Patrice, 'twas so with Nebla 
When he laid the matter before Flester. 

His plea was fair and he felt far abler 
Than from a bout in Greecian palestra. 



Here begins my epithalamium, 

My wish for their unshaken prosperity. 

Let their wine of life be pure, naught of stum 
Be needed, knowing not asperity. 

. 46 



CANTO IV. 



Behold the sunny features of Patrice 

And those of him who leads her to sacred 

Hymen's Altar, — the one twain of Venice! 
O, peace rest on each young and tawny head. 



No not iawny for his was a jet black, 
But the word seems catchy so I weave 

It in the hymenean as I lack 

News of the tour, and here I will it leave. 



What thoughts occupied them at this moment, 
Suppose you, after the trying ordeal, 

After the prebend to the priest is spent ? 
Does not the newness seem to them ideal ? 



Orion in his stellary height peeps 

Down with eye askant into the bridal 

Chamber and on the fairest bride that sleeps ; 
He showeth forth to them both his pride all. 



Let the goodly inheritance of their 
Fathers visit the children and, also, 

The children's children making their lives fair. 
If thoughts be pure they cannot well fall so. 

47 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



The ancient general who, conquering 

The world, and sighing because of no other 

Worlds to conquer must needs have felt the sting 
Of conscience or sure found life a bother. 



Not so with these young, earnest Italians 

Who were much wrapped one in the other, nay,. 

Not so ! They knew not much of battalions, 
Cared less for wars than for some noble lay. 



k 



^%i^ i^osti- 



CANTO V. 



I've changed my mind about writing up on the 
Third party ; I'm now going out to sup on a 
Dish fit for gods, cultured men and fine women 
Together with governors and high seamen. 

II. 

The matter is indefinately deferred, 

And, unHke the man who said that he heard 

Him looking, I am more correct when I say, 

A book's page is too small — don't think me icy. 



I must, of necessity, crowd out much which 
Would instruct but, like she who drops a stitch 
At times am I just now, yet unlike her, 
Vou can't tell i' the poem ; how does this strike her 

49 



THE MUSE POETIC. 

IV. 

Let us decide to treat all dumb animals 
With kindness, and have bullets for cannibals. 
For my part I am fond of pets, the horse. 
For instance, and perhaps the birds no worse. 



The advocacy of arbitration doth mean 
An higher civilization and it is seen 
That peace congresses tend in no less degree 
Toward tranquillity and high liberty. 



Litters of pigs or pups are well enough, 

I suppose, in their places, but the stuff 

Isn't there ; they can't hold a candle to chemistry, 

Tetralogy, a soothsayer or history. 



I'd rather freeze out a political enemy, 
Or drown out a musk-rat than have any. my 
Friends, of the stygian about me ; or go 
Mend disruption, or hear Handel's Largo. 



Here are a few topics for some good novels : 

Two Men, Two Women, One Man with Two Shovels, 

A Cat in a Garret, A Dog and a Goat, 

And A French Nurse, With Two Children, Alloat. 

50 



CANTO V. 



Two Young Ladies from Texas at Welsley, 
A Greek God, and, The Young Girl's Name was Leslie ; 
How could He ? Something as Nice as Honey, 
She Went, and. What Did He Do With His Money ; 



A Thing of the Past or Future, Which ? 
A Super-Human Strength, and. Ah ! There's tlie Hitch ; 
I have evolved others and will recite them, — 
Here's a good one: How Could He Indict Them? 

XI. 

O ! how can I leave this, Lm chockfull of 
Subjects, — here's one now : The Cork Bull Above, 
And again : Her Consecrated Faith, and, Ammi, 
To rhyme to mammie, Sammy and clamy. 



It is primal and final with me not to have 
One word fill short of the mark. It is brave, 
I presume, to say not one word, but 111 
Vary that a little, saying, only once in a while. 



This is more consonant I think, at lerst 
It should be, as to good white-bread is yeast. 
I don't hide behind a reredos, what I 
Say is open thus avoiding being sooty. 

51 



THE MUSE POETIC 



I'm fond ot horse-beck riding, and to straddle 
A prime, first quality pigskin saddle 
Is my delight being far from tittle-tattle, 
The which is vainer than some little cattle. 



Here are some subjects for songs, ( much depends 
On good subjects, perhaps than the ends ). 
She Was My Only Love, Her Coveted Hope, 
Shoo ! They Are Catholics, and, Love-Lighted Scope. 



He Kissed Her on Each Cheek, O ! Why Should He.' 
Unloved and Unsought, Ouvricr, and, Would She.' 
An Old Rebound Copy, and, Bound in Vellum. 
Gilt Top Uncut Edges. Here Dog Go Smell Um ! 



He Wooed to Win, Born of Despair, Qiidqiie Chose, 
Suuni Ciiique, An Inventive Head, What are Those .' 
Verisimilitude, She's a Baby, Oh No ! 
Nine Out of Ten, and. Three Girls and One Beau. 



Some Ancient Legislation Humbugs and 
Inconsistencies, She Played in The Band, 
Business Then Pleasure After, Nomenclature, 
His High and Sure Aim, and, Slow Men Pay Sure. 

52 



CANTO V. 



Grandly He Thought Nobly Carried Out, Rout 
The Villain, Twice Thrice, She's Grown Very Stout, 
A Jug Full of Pleasure, High Up, Menace, 
She Was in a sense Poetic, and, Lawn Tennis. 



This, I believe, closes up the song business. 

Now I'll — O! here's another one: And His Dress; 

Now I will resume the plot if plot there 

Be with all iny great ability and care. 



It is just, it is right, it is legal 

To have the latter for some novels regal 

But they are intended for some sweet, short 

Songs, no drinking songs though, but full of thought. 

XXII. 

Sesquipedalian my words have never been 
That, if you study me. you have plainly seen ; 
With just enough o{ facetiae not to be silly, 
And I haven't once brought in popes or a filly. 



The Vale of Tempe I might treat on, yet it 

Is too eerie for my pen, I might get it 

Broken, and vales and things of this sort charm me 

Not ; not that I think though that they'd harm me. 

53 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



They don't amount to shucks or Hannah Cooke, 
If I must tell you, and before e'en a book 
Was thought of, the ancient bards had described 
The Tempe on parchment, thus I'm circumscribed. 



They did it well too, all praise be to them ; 
They have their reward from way stern to stem. 
Theirs was inherent worth, an inborn thing, 
An inspiration roused them and did sting. 



But, while I think of it, I've seen parchment 

As old as the hills ; you know what an arch meant. 

Erected by ancients, wasn't it quite strong ? 

Built to s/av, unlike a real old slave's wrong. 

XXVII. 

The parchment was wrote on way back m B. C, 
And was very well preserved as we see 
Or, rather, I saiv. It was in New York, 
And in a buildins: where crowds come to talk. 



It is a beautiful sight to see man 

Pay homage to man as I've heard Zerrahn 

Pay homage to Handel. You should have heard 

Him reasoning, followed him word on word. 

54 



CANTO V. 



The exiled bell of Uglich 1 think is pretty 

Aged, cast in fifteen ninety-three ; I'm not witty 

Either, if it is not historic, too, — 

You know, perhaps what did Shakspears' Yorick do. 



There's many a worthy man in exile in 
Siberia ; read up on this and th" next style gin. 
Some of the exiles exist only in byres ; 
Russia's officials are consummate liars. 



Tetrastich I've done writing, I'm going to 
Write long poems hereafter, I'm throwing due 
Only where it belongs, when I say, my forte 
Lies in that direction where there is thought. 



I would not wallow in the stink of shame. 
Nor would I ever marry an old dame. 
Not e'en if she's endowed with ability, 
For it doesn't taper toward utility. 



What a blessing is the instantaneous 
Photography, 'tis untemporaneous 
And not like, what I am pleased to call trowsers — 
How the styles change, they're so unlike carousers. 

55 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



With this mode of taking pictures you can catch 
Old nervous women, horses and yachts on th' stretch, 
Crooks, birds flying, the enemy running away, 
Twinkling stars and lightning at close of day. 



Mad dogs chasing cats, and cats catching rats, 
Pole jumping, and boys and girls watching bats. 
Vaulting and many things that I cannot think 
Of, — O ! and a man jumping off a brink. 



A man, too, in the act of mixing drinks. 

And deer grazing, cattle and a fleeting minx ; 

In fact it revolutionizes from an art 

View. Now paintings will look dif'rent in the mart. 



It takes each leaf on wielding trees, each crest 
On tossing waves, a bird on leaving nest. 
Each swaying floweret so )0U can almost 
Count them but not a soul when it is lost. 



Let the best horse win, that is my mottoe, 
Let the best cyclist too, for he ought to. 
From squirrels' jump to the end of the road, 
Though, the cart horse can take the biggest load. 

56 



CANTO V. 



I despise the one who will have scrimages 
Over old wooden gods and graven images, 
And I hold aloft quite from curio hunters — 
The new things I'm fond of off new counters. 



The sinking sun like the embers on a 
Slumbering, smouldering hearth looks ; it doth don a 
Dreamy mien like unto a distant, soft-toned 
Bell tolling in the ears of the soft boned. 



"Honor thy father and thy mother " not, 
Understand, "that thy days may be long" but 
Because they are "thy father and thy mother;" 
For thy being you must thank no other. 



Because you are accountable to them for 
Your very existence. Now do you blame law.? 
Nay, you do not. And because, again, it 
Is best, as sometimes we put milk with rennet. 

XLIII. 

I would have you think the lamp of Aladdin 
Shone bright o'er me as the glory of Saladin, 
And were as merry as an old Scottish 
Halloween, or lively waltz, or a schottische. 

57 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Unknown to misanthropy, nor quizzical 
Yet, the possessor of a being physical. 
Read up in Asphodel and old Vishnu 
And an apostle to all those who wish new. 



I do not lay any claims to an aphorist, 
And I do not know as yet, if Sappho kiss'd, 
But presume she did sometime, and I am 
As unknown to antiphrasis as Siam. 



I do apocopate sometimes, to be sure, 

But not often, yet that is the embrasure 

Through which I shoot my wit and, through the which 

I often see my way clear to a new stitch. 

XLVII. 

I judge a man's religion by what he does 
And not by the church he may attend ( the cause 
I sha'n't state here), and not by his transgressions — 
Then 'tis tt;;religion, nor his possessions. 



Our hearts run out in sympathy for the good 

Of all ages, and we owe much to the mood 

Of our forefathers, the founders, pioneers, 

And inbringers, and they may well have our cheers. 

^ 58 



CANTO V. 



I'd be in touch with refinement and beauty 
If it cost a leg, since I think it duty, 
And Mnemosyne I'd get on the right side of 
As one must to see properly a pied dove. 



This subjunctive canto must now be ended. 
Just the same as things more earthly ; blended 
I have thoughts of moment and they are serried. 
Still, I've meditated and not hurried. 



M)\2^ fl;u^ i^oeti- 



CANTO VI. 



'hat would you now, ihat I discuss Shiller? 
Well, then in this third unprudish canio 
I shall make ready to blow a shriller 

Blast for fame, show who did the folk rant o" 

11. 

Frederick von Shiller, of extraction 

Teutonic, not only held fine thoughts but 

Well knew how to bring them into action ; 
Swam in deep waters like the halibut. 



I shall not wage a lengthy discussion 

Lest I incur a foul ignominy. 
An incubus or, perchance, concussion 

And would, methought, savor rather winy. 

60 



CANTO VI. 



Then I would ne'er give hire to a proxy; 

Though I might save a pen it's no puncto 
And then, by some, I might be thought foxy 

And in my art I would be quite skunked too. 



I had far rather write a long prologue 
Than a shorter criticism, on a man 

Whom I must admire, (or an epilogue). 
For high achievements as solid as pan. 



I'd rather the Russian Kremlin describe 
Or, the Cathedral of the Assumption, 

Than to be a biographical scribe 

If even, had I the merest presumption. 



The Kremlin with its strange, chimerical, 
Tsarika Room with its deep embrazured 

Windows and massive gilt girders recall 
Other centuries, — thus they are assured. 

VIII. 

Then the old Terem with its banquet hall 

And rare plate, which is displayed when the Tsars 

Pay their visits, on a buffet. Some tall 

Crudences are shown and fine graven gold jars. 

6i 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



The Terem in true old Muscovite style 
Is quite different from the cold facade, 

In masonry of stone, that dost lie file 

On file which can stand many an enfilade. 



We must remember this, that Schiller, schooled 
In early life in studies which did not 

Befit the man, together with being ruled 
Too rio;idlv soon made him grieve his lot. 



These grievings and misgivings ripened to 
Displeasure for Stuttgard. His preceptors 

Were too narrow thinkers for the boy who 
In after-life, was honored by scepters. 

XII. 

He became at once the glory and pride 
Of all Germany as did the great bard 

Goethe, his contemporary. Side by side 
They lie at Weimar entombed with regard. 



Thousands make pilgrimage to the little 

Chapel, where they are enshrined, and flowers strew 

O'er their oaken coffins, yet my tittle 

Of encomium doesn't their full worth shew. 

62 



CANTO VI. 



Sliiller was of no common clay and he 

Was notable for pathos and, as it 
Suited him, invective; tranquillity 

Was his ; he admired the grand more than wit. 

XV. 

"Round their coffined clay in this Grand Ducal 
Vault ( to show the difrence 'twixt accident 

Of birth and Genius ) you see, when you call. 
Bronze caskets of dukes, forgotten ere they went 



Finished my panegyric I now wend 

On to new thought-fields and shall, no doubt, trump 
Some conception which might, perhaps, portend 

The folly or wisdom of a camel's hump. 



The good ventures of men if they be but 
Successful shall be attended by our 

Plaudits, but, if unsuccess prevail what 
Are they to do but to use newer power ? 



To offer up some doleful wail as Dirge 

Of Menephtah I am not given ; 'tis grander 

Far, perchance, we in the mood feel, to urge 
Thoughts on Persian Satraps or, salamander. 

63 



THE MUSE POETIC. 

XIX. 



O thou quivering, beautious insect 

Wondrous fly of charming presence, O thou 
Butterfly sylphlike, airy integral detect 

I somewhat of fantasy in thee enow. 



Ought not we men to think that as our best 

Thoughts are not of ourselves that they are from 

The divine.'' Two souls meet: it is the behest 
If they be counterparts there is no strum. 



In all these quatrain stanzas I have not 
Discussed the giant dread Cormoran, nor. 

Will I for I do intend that my plot 

Shall teem throughout with men of rythmic law. 



Cormoran, who swooped down on th" purlieus 
Of Marazion, with the advancement 

Of thought had naught to do, like Orpheus. 
He, the fell monster, on pillage was bent. 



'Tis not so difficult a thing to learn 

To love a manly man, one who can free 

The slave, quell a riot yet, who can never spurn 
To nurse the leper or, to limn fine tracery. 

64 



CANTO VI. 



XXIV. 



The world is getting old and so are we. 

Some people are as smart as whips and steel-traps 

While some have the poise and alike parity 
Of the inventors who invent new eel-traps. 



P^or a weird and romantic pass, I trow, 

Nothing can exceed Fern-tree Gully, Gippsland 

Lest it be Eucalyptus Forest though. 

And even then they are both on the same land. 



The one is the more parasitical 

While the other a horseman could wtU ride thro"; 
The bell, lyre, whip-bird, ( to be analytical ), 

Break the quiet when new sentiments betide you. 



The magpie and parrakeet charm the ear, 
Tease the imagery in their blent songs 

And rosellas. lories, marvelous to hear. 

Share their honors with the various throngs. 



The swoln, upwelling notes lend eclat to 

The land where few brumal winds carouse, nor. 

Is this all for it doth produce virtu 

In one and high respect for Nature's law. 

65 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Resplendent hued orchids grow and flourish 
And abound which offers the criteria 

That a hot cUmate conduces to nourish 
A hke vegretation in large area. 



Golden wattles contribute their quota 
Of beauty and fragrance yet their accretion 

Than the magnolias is not an iota 

More astounding nor, yet, their completion. 



Just to heighten the effect I will here state 
That the bell-bird's mellifluous notes swell 

Tlirough the still air ; only at sunset abate 
The complete delusion through hill and dell. 



One thinks "tis church bells tolling from afar, 
The low, soft rings that float upon the ear 

Till some well-advised friend, lest he mar 

The effect, says gently, no vestal bells you hear. 



At night-fall booms the bittern along some 

Sedgv bank, the curlew's wail, the crane's harsh 

Civ hears the rapt listener, until, doth come 
Another break of day along the marsh. 



CANTO VI. 



Enchant the soul, speak to the higher mind, 
(A sort of tether, just like marriage bontls ) 
Prettier than sugar when il"s refined. 



In writing poetry "tis the true Poet's aim 

To escape all verbiage and, Dante 
E'en dealt much in systole which, I would claim, 

Gives lively interest unlike andante. 



I never attempt to describe a thing, 
Unless I am well versed in the matter, 

And all this would quite much dishonor bring 
And savor much of the monkev's chatter. 



Perhaps the grandest of all the world's great 
Forests, and certainly the one of large 

Oaks and beeches, the one where men ot state 
Rode to the hunt and made wild boars their targe, 



And deer, and wolves, and l.cais, is Fontainebleau. 

( It was cherished by great artist Millet, 
And seemed to him as <a mountain tableau 

Of some imaginative hill and billet). 

67 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Cherished, I just said, with a feehng quite 
Akin to love and he was to the world 

An idealist and Cod will requite 

Him. He was as grand as a flag unfurled.. 



What Biskra is to Sahara Desert 

Millet was to the people, or, again : 
What the Vizier is in Turkey he wert 
In art ;ind thus we a great artist gain. 

XLI. 

My aim in poesy's to be so intensely 

Interesting to my readers as to 
Please them most completely and immensely 

And to wreathe a sort of poetic lasso. 



There is a law of order exquisite 

In itself and profound in its sway which. 

Nurtured into action, is requisite 

For hope and, in Fame, occupies a niche. 



If, as I hold Russia's th' most miserable 
Of all old Earth's nations her compunction 

Must be great, yet, she might be capable 
To examine America's high function. 

68 



CANTO VI. 

XLIV. 

The tomb of Mahomet at Beejapere 
Is not so dear to the Americans, 

As the one in Boston of Paul Revere, 

Or, exploits of Stanley 'mongst the Africans. 



Eaton Hall, the Duke of Westminster's seat. 
In quaint old Chester, is about as grand 

A sight, as a skilled circus-riders feat 

Or, a game of base-ball from the grand stand. 



If it were not that, perchance, my pen is, 
( If not alway then quite often ) flighty, 

1 would practice up more on lawn tennis 
And try in that broad field to be mighty. 



All life is somewhat liken to the ocean ; 

We are born, we live, we do and we die, 
•Or, in other words, we drink our potion 

Making hardly a ripple as we hie. 



The crest of ocean closes o'er our head, 
Others fill our places as best they may. 

All this and more through Nature is inbred, — 
The moral's what ? — Work on while yet 'tis day. 

69 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



No trace upon the ocean can be tound, 
After an hour's departure, of the vessel, 

No foot-worn paths for the sailor out-bound 

And none can be beaten how ere large the pestle- 



But strive on friend for God doth will it thus, 
What virtue there's in man let's have it out ; 

Do that which seems beautiful within us, — 
But, I'll now close the canto, — voila tout. 



\l^ '^U^ (il'Oetie. 



CANTO VII. 



ll^'ote the difference in fowl's combs, there is 
A vaster one than there are kinds of fairies 
In short, 'tis quite surprising ; we have the V, 
Prong, antler, single, rose, cup, leaf, strawberry, pea. 

II. 

This is a subject which absorbs much interest 
'Long the Mediterranean, where winter-nest 
Doth vie with summer run in their wonted 
Completeness — but now I begin to feel haunted. 



Haunted not like an esprit foUct but with 
A legion of mneomonics that, like a sythe, 
Would cut their way thro' the world should I mouth 
Them ; forthwith I think they would quell a drouth. 

71 



THE INIUSE POETIC. 



I am as solemn as the old mosques of Amer 
And Touloon, or El Hakim though lamer, 
Perhaps, in religious fervor than the Muslims 
AVhen I say this, yet, sublime as a fir's limbs. 

V. 

Like the man, thinking of somewhat to say. 
Gives utterance, when he finds it sounds away 
Different as it is voiced and tries to recall 
The thought is he who is about to fall. 



I've tried to commit and memorize th' nomenclature 
Of anatomy, but would rather row men clear shore 
From a remote island, or, down on the Styx, 
Or Kojiki mythology in my mind fix. 



Or go to a Shem-en-Neseem festival and 

Pluck lovely flowers and, too, hear the band (.') 

Or look at pretty Palissy ware, or serry 

Some books in my book-case, or try to be merry. 



Or dwell in spirit with our Websters and Clays 
And study their caliber, and learn their ways, 
Or travel abroad, which is verisimilar. 
Or read up on same which is very similar. 

72 



CANTO VII. 



Or go some evening and see a saraband. 
And perhaps take part, so coalese in hand 
If not in heart. Or even to have a fishers' 
Likes, or put down capitalists avaricious. 



Or restore some sort of order with a gavel, 
Or rather seek out a robbery and ravel 
Its mysteries, or see a Japanese earthquake, 
Or present to some friend a nice birth-cake. 

XI. 

Or pen some anecdotes of English clergymen, 
And — well I'm beginning to wield a dirgy pen 
'Tis sillier to seek redress for impunities 
Imposed upon one than write slim June ditties. 



And, likewise to insist that glory is for the 
Idler as well as worker still, to go further. 
To attempt to alienate our gifts or sate 
And sympathize lovingly with an ingrate. 



I nominate that we take up sides with labor 
And labor movements, and not impugn neighbor 
Toilers, opposing all those apt to quiddle — 
When the work is done then take up the fiddle. 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Let not thy temper sway thee into actions 
Unseemly ( this is atldiessed to factions ) — 
And I might wax eloquent in far-reaching thoughts- 
On this alone ; it certainly {)romotion wroughts. 



I might write up on this in an alibi, 
And I need but even to simplv scarify 
My intelligence to wrest from it enough 
To oust all the unbelievers with rebuff 



Truly this is friendship, when a man doth slack 
Anothers thirst, bathe wounds, sooth pains, have knack 
To nourish hunger. This is noble, this is good 
And needs to be learned to be understood. 



One man can do one thing well, and another 
r^Ian can do another thing well, but bother 
If I don't think chicane enters largely into 
Some mens' lives, and I believe that thev sin too. 



King David of old drove a most delightful 

Poetical pen, though never a spiteful 

One, for he was a poet as well as king 

And soared way above the simple 'ding-dong, ding. 

74 



CANTO vn. 



I might arrange my words so, \vhen they're read, 
With the aid of a jot or iota of head 
Imagination, they'd sound like a gushing brook. 
Cyclone, or a fish just taken oflf a hook 



A horse trotting and the Niagara Falls, 

A roaring fire, the shuffling of feet at balls, 

Rustling leaves and almost a child crying, 

Croaking frogs and wind through pine trees sighing. 



But I'll abstain for this feat would place me 
Too f.ir above men ; then 'twould erase thee. 
Reader, from mv mind and I don't care to ride 
The poetic steed along that high tide. 



I mean tc) drive Pegasus on terra firnia 

Where 1 can rein him in at will ; murmur 

Not though if, perchance, he to the clouds ascends, 

'Tis only temporary and at last ends. 



To be involved in jurisprudence so's lo 
Swoop down upon men, the same as crows do 
In corn fields, is a very wrong tendency, 
And is in action a redundaiicv. 



75 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



I've always said I'd stick up for womans' rights, 
But still not overlook a true man's fights 
For honorable mention — both should be trued up. 
Likewise the worker who may be glued up. 



Is he of lesser attainment to receive 
The compensation of the larger to relieve 
His wants, his desires? lean not think so. 
The one must fly lower and must drink low. 



Instilled in the very hearts of men is honor, 
Trust ; but only educate, get a corner 
On learning. I would familiarize with the 
Houis" higher question, study up the zither. 



Delve in rococo, consort with the sages 
Of the present, also in the past ages. 
Dive into the historical and interesting 
Language of the Copts, avoid sin to nest in. 



Swim round in diapered brickwork, the tower of 
Saragossa is built of it — 'twill sour love 
For imitation or else I miss my guess ; 
Play a game of cribbage or one of chess. 

76 



CANTO VII. 



Hear sewing-circle chatter, semi-circle clatter 
At the race-course, understand, is the latter. 
Discern the sex of flowers, 'tis a punctilio 
Then learn how fast a Chinese junk will go. 



Go sit in a kiosk and dream o'er the past 
Glories of Turkey and Persia, and last : 
Describe in verse chameleon-like opals, 
And mingle much in your Coustantinoples. 



But, again ; I cannot stop here — pardon me ; 
Jump into statecraft, if that don't harden thee, 
That is, I mean intellectually strengthen 
Thee you've missed th' motive, vour days don't length'n . 



Reduce to algebraical exactness 
A nondescript reliquary to conpactness — 
Reduce in writing, with contents, till sated, 
Till you think you will not be underated. 



Sing your song, write your ode and play your part 
Then, ceasing, let the public judge your heart 
And wag their tongues, according as they think. 
Some will cajole, giggle e'erwhile others wink. 

11 



CANTO VII. 



Study an old style harpoon just dug out of 
A giant bowhead whale, then read about love 
In a cottage, now invent a new forte, 
( The cottage is situate over in Newport ). 



Mind takes hold on matter, not matter on mind 
It bests the most of us to be always kind. 
Violate no friendship, friend, that you hold dear, 
We honor such heroes as was Paul Revere. 



There's Belisarius, look into his life. 
The Vandals feared his glaive, sword, or his knife. 
Or what eer he fought with more than the noise, 
In Cairo streets, caused by the donkey boys. 



And more than an old harem hubble-bubble, 
Or a farmer fear to walk through so much stubble, 
Try to learn more of the old town of Tivoli 
Toirether with ancient and modern chivelrv. 



Any such thing helps and tends to train the mind ; 
Who would not apply himself must stay behind. 
Form a quincunx and play puss in the corner. 
Laugh with the laugher and mourn with the mourner. 

78 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Descend an ice-terrace of four thousand feet, 
Just for exercise, in some lone, icy retreat. 
Like tiie Aliashka Peninsula Mountain range — 
You might perspire a trifle, though that's not strange. 



Go to th e English Derby, push through the crowd 
And up to the grand-stand and see the proud 
Racers when they come in on the home stretch ; 
Note how the winners the plaudits do fetch. 

XLI. 

We are apt to believe, I think, ones' eftbrts 
To unravel mysteries, learn how an elf courts. 
Deliver the world of ignorance is never 
Counted, but one should be sated in doing ever. 

XLII. 

Try photographing interiors by flash light. 
Try — try — let me think — to cut a dash right 
Off, from societies' standpoint, a small churl 
To convert, then trv it with a tall girl. 



Poets we've had that have been prolific ; Poe, it 
Seems to me, was not one, but yet a poet 
He was that shall endure. There was Longfellow, 
Lowell, Goethe, and Byron was a strong fellow. 



79 



CANTO VII. 



Whitman, perhaps Burns, hardly Bryant, Browning, 
Cowper, Tennyson and Moore I would be crowning 
For wielding a strong, thrifty, untiring pen, 
Oh! — and Shakspeare, of course, about ten times ten. 



Wordsworth wrote much and delightfully too, 
There are some I might mention, rightfully few. 
Mrs- Browning wrote a great deal for a woman ; 
If she'd been a male she'd been a true man. 

XLVI. 

I've just been reading about the Earl Russell 
And Countess Russell and the divorce court bustle, 
His trial, and their trials before the trial ; 
Unstoppered is a great divorce case vial. 



Only damnable are such happenings. 
Making the public shudder and sapping springs 
Of finer feelmgs. Scandals ! Scandals ! Let us 
Have less of them ; ne'er let them more fret us. 



I intend to know more of the papacy 

And quirinal, and how high a sky-scraper be 

From a ships' deck ; and go down in Mexico 

And see th' Weather Forecast Rock near Chilpancigno, 

80 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



The Rock, a remarkably strange freak of 
Nature, I speak of for who have a sleek love 
For the varieties of this sphere's vigor ; 
They could not be more, it seems if 'twere bigger. 



'Tis one of Old World's economics, a true 
Barometer, is pink, hot or cold way through, 
A muddy red, crimson, grayish tint — but listen ! 
Sometimes emits a blue light and doth glisten. 



112^ flu^Q ^oetie. 



CANTO VIII. 



l^od save America from any rebellion 
And God save old America's good name ; 

Damn the dynamiter, also the hellion. 

We'll protect the old flag and our high fame. 



I mean to have my verses full of patriotism 
And running over (this is my manifesto, 

Please accept it as such) but hate riotism 
And unnatural laws with a manly gusto. 



America should be proud of her young men. 
But I think I siid that once, though, however 

It's a good thing to say ; I've only rung, then. 
One bell twice in my poetic chime bell (how clever). 



THE MUSE POETIC. 

IV. 



What your eyes see believe ; much must be guessed 
At, much remain mystery ; but that you're sure 

Of just as you are that the Father o'er distressed 
Souls watches, and o'er manes and far, far more. 



Who would care to be an aboriginal, drest 

Up in bear-skins, with teeth and claw adornment ? 

Yet is n't he content, cared for and caressed 

By his squaw ? and does he feel way gone — spent ? 

VI. 

Read of Old Sun's squaw, of she the heroine, 
How she dealt with a wily Gros Ventres chief. 

How one of the worlds' women dost dare to wm ; 
The story's a good one although short and brief. 



Read of her befeathered and fringed gear ; her right 
To wear three eagle feathers in her tresses ; 

How she is considered a woman sir knight ; 
Then learn somewhat of the fanciful dresses. 



Ride round on a travois, see how you like it, 
Then see how prettily Old Sun won his bride 

(Not every lover doth so forcibly strike it) ; 
Now go on the river and row 'gainst the tide. 

83 



CANTO VIII, 

IX. 

My aim is to win an enormous clientage 
And I am doing it every day, no matter 

What I say I have this at heart, no iron sledge 
Can break it and no sledore can e'er shatter. 



Peace be to the ashes of all Americas' 

Pioneers, and none revere them more than I ; 

They had the good strength that a derrick has. 
Pretty soon 1 shall write something on scarabaei. 

XI. 

Honor for our country must and shall be maintained 
At any and all costs ; see to it ye men 

That it shall be so. It was the way ingrained 
In our forefathers and we were e'en free then. 



Each tap, each flam and roll of the snare drum 
And piping of the flute, in days agone, 

■Was answered, obeyed by men who dare come 
To front in December as in fair May morn. 



Each day, each hour, each moment that we live 
We can improve so that in after years. 

The years that are to be, they surely give 
To some seed who in after time appears. 

84 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Poetasters we've had, perhaps always will 

But when a man is well he wants large doses ; 

When he is sick he takes the bitter pill 

And rather have some nice fruit and large roses. 



I've seen the happiest faces on cripples — 
Why is it the cheeriest spirits oft reign in 

Uncomely bodies ? The lonely brooks' ripples 
Are more musical than the rivers we seine in. 



I mean to be an ornament in the great 
Poetical arena, and obtain to highest 

Honors and applause, which shall ne'er abate 
While heaven smiles on my pen and is nighest. 



Time is winging its flight and leaving us • 
Older every day. Who puts himself last 

Is _firs/, he is the greatest man and thus 
It is until immortality is fast. 

XVI 1 1. 

The order of life is ' Forward ! Forward ! ' 
And we should answer to the call and keep 

Well to the front or we will go shoreward. 
Or descend some precipice or abyss steep. 

85 



CANTO VIII. 

XIX. 

It is solacing, like good wine, to know that 

One is right. I think John Brown largely rights 

Future ages decides ; meanwhile I grow fat 
With new conceptions which attain to heght ; 



To heights brilliant as crest of Mount Harmon, 
Or the sculpturing marvelously intricate 

At Indra-Sabha-Temple in my sermon, 

More varied than food that ever syndic ate. 



Custom has decreed that we should be wise 
At all times and time has tested it too, 

If 'twasn't so our thoughts would droop when the skies 
Were reached and in congress there would sit few. 



I never intend to be quite so very solemn 
As the Jews at the wailing of Mosque 

El Aksa, in Jerusalem, and all them. 

All such worshipers should dwell in a boske. 



Go to Argos and gloat o'er treasures of 

The past just exhumed, bronzes — in sculptures 

A beautiful Hera head, which assures love 
For fine art that's hearty if not voluptuous. 

86 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Go ye geologists to Island Staffa, 

Here find your paradise in Clamshell Cave, 

Then to Giant's Causeway and thus have a 

Mind for acquiring knowledge that might save. 

XXV. 

Go and see the Arc of Triumph in Paris, 

A magnificent heap of architectural 
-Beauty surprisingly grand which, methinks, ne'er is 

Forgotten ; after, come home and lecture all. 



Go see the Declaration of Independence, 
Heirloom of our infancy, in Washington 

And think how we made the Englishmen dance 
'Twill bring inspiration if it don't bring fun. 

XXVII. 

Get a dahabeeyeh and glide up the Nile, 
Bask in the twilight, lave in the sunlight, 

Visiting the lands of the Pharaohs the while — 
Be quite sure you make the boat run right. 

XXVIII. 

Go look around in the bottom of the sea 
For Neptune's palace near iEgae, or witness 

A Genesaret tempest the force and fury 
Of which is appalling, not one whit less. 

87 



CANTO VIII. 



America can't boast of many ancestral 

Homes but she can boast of enterprise and 

Prosperity. W)th years she's a woman less tall 
Then the Old World but her center lies srrand. 



To be fortunate in one's phraseology, 

And in a retorical fitness of things, 
Is primal and final, like ways astrology 

Is studied in this country and makes high flings. 



I hate all shamming as I hate all wrong 

And shall crush injustice, proclaiming right. 

I'll do it with my pen and in this song 
And keep my armor buckled for the fight. 



I would establish republics over all 

The earth, for every nation and country 

Where e'er the sun doth rise or set, and fall 
On empires dark e'en if they on mount lie. 



But I'd fall with education and with 

Schools, with teaching and uptending; saving 

The good men I'd cut down all with a scythe, 
The others I'd charge with doing and having. 

88 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



Each venerable pate I would duly honor; 

A curse would rest on the power the demoness 
Mariammon hath o'er India and on her 

Head, — India would thank me with freeman's stress. 



Disrupted empires I would mend anew, 
I'd fill the ship of state to the scuppers, 

With most able men, far more than a few ; 
No jejune fai-nilies, yet no late suppers. 



I'd banish bale, no hoiden crowds allow, 
Shun wretches suffering vile ways in petto. 

And all these things I would straightway avow 
No habitual bacchant would I let 2:0. 



I would spread peace in wigwam an~ chalet, 
Preserve harmony, ousting disloyalty 

And prepare a brief against the ballet — 

Then I'd try to woo and wed Miss Royalty. 



Serene in lofty poise of mind and heart, 

I would hurl righteousness into the very teeth 

Of wrong doers, and thus, I would impart 
A cresset brilliantcy and win a wreath. 



CANTO VIII. 

XXXIX 

There is a certain something that exists 
Uncontrolable, irresistable and e'en 

Is not tracable, as often it resists 

The highest focus and ever will I ween ; 



Betwixt the finite and the infinite there is 
No discerning it ; call it what thou wilt, it 

Sways us and moves us, just like the fairies 

Do with young children when around them flit- 



I would not seek to gain a point by sarcasm 
But I could spout it if need be, and I 

May yet as lis, then descend a far chasm 

For the same purpose if the path's not sandy. 



Imagine the ancients dancing on the tiled 
Floor of the Assyrian royal palace — 

'Tis in touch and keeping with the sweet child 
Admiring and fondling a silver chalice. 



It is in touch with my mellifluent strains, 
And in keeping with any princely verbal 

Expressionist, who showeth he hath the brains 

To carry his point 'gainst great odds and curb all;. 

90 



THE MUSE POETIC. 



In fact juxtaposition with great leaders 
And in accord with beautiful clematis 

Clinging, entwining, and that doth feed us 
With dreams, ingrowing an aesthetic latice. 

XLV. 

There are worlds beyond \\orIds; we have the wide 
Telescopic world, and we have the bulky 

IMicroscopic world; just let Pegasus ride 
You in these if this world tires, in a sulky. 

XLVI 

What ere Fve touched I'vd tried to celebrate, 
How well Eve succeeded you may be judge : 

Valor I love and baseness really hate 

And what Eve said Ell maintain and not budge. 

XLVII. 

Truth transcends the heavens to stars of the seventh 

Magnitude, a million orbits go to 
Swell heaven's glories. I could write an eleventh 

Commandment but I will not now so do. 



Twould be germane too, and you would say so, 
And acknowledge same as quick as a wink, 

Or a minute ; 'twould, in truth, make my lay go. 
But I am afraid 'twould create a stink. 



91 



CANTO VIII. 

XLIX. 

I could also model a pretty bodice 

And inveni, too, methinks, a stylish basque 

That would look well on a venus-goddess, 
But I much prefer to wear the poet's mask. 



Sixteen hundred lines and now I'm through — 
Read at your othim aim digniiate. 

I've written for the nonce some good to do ; 
God speed my readers well in cit and state. 



